Warehouse construction employing independent rack units



y 1966 J. c. SHACKELFORD 3,

WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYING INDEPENDENT RACK UNITS Filed June 6. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FAVOR 4R7 \mg king .2

INVENTOR MY/Jm, W

ATTORNEY5 y 3, 1966 J. c. SHACKELFORD 3,243,323

WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYING INDEPENDENT RACK UNITS Filed June 6. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR JO/IN COO/9E1? \SH/VOVMGPO) ATTORNEYS y 1966 J. c. SHACKELFORD 3, 8

WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYING INDEPENDENT RACK UNITS Filed June 6. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 El F $3 u R g 3 N 9' 8 INVENTOR l \zazm/ Malia Ema,

ATTORNEYS y 1966 J. c. SHACKELFORD 3,248,828

WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYING INDEPENDENT RACK UNITS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 6. 1961 INVENTOR .Ja/m/ coo /5,? aqflovzfiaea,

ATTORNEYS l 3 248 828 WAREHOUSE coNsruircrroN EMPLOYING INDEPENDENT RACK UNITS John Cooper Shaekelford, Greenville, S.C., assignor to This invention relates to building construction and a method of erecting a building. The particular construction and method involved pertain to warehouses or the like wherein racks, bins, or shelving, for example, are incorporated as an integral part of the building structure.

Warehouses are commonly erected to house series or rows of racks, bins, or shelving structures used for storing a variety of commodities. Considerable effort, expense, and time may be put into the construction of awarehouse and into the designing of a storage system for handling a particular commodity. Various arrangements or racks, bins and shelving have been proposed for certain types of commodities.

However, in the past, regardless of what type of rack, or bin, or shelving arrangement has been used, conventional building methods for warehouses usually are followed. Regardless of the racks, or bins, or shelving, the conventional column and roof members which are well known in the building industry are employed to provide a warehouse structure. In constructing a suitable warehouse, either one of two procedures usually are followed: the building is designed with economical column spacing provided and then the storage structure such as the racks or bins are arranged to try to avoid interference with the columns; or the arrangement of the storage structure is laid out first and then the columns are positioned so as not to interfere with full use of the racks, or bins, or shelves. In either event, the conventional column structure is employed.

In ordinary building construction, such as employed in warehouses, large columns are used for supporting-the roof as well as successive floors. The customary procedure for building a single-story warehouse is to first erect concrete foundations, then erect footings or piers upon which the column members can be fixed, next extend roof joists between the several column members, then extend roof purlins between adjacent roof joists, and then erect a roof structure on the roof purlins.

In conventional warehouse construction wherein the building structure is designed prior to the planning of the storage structure, it is desirous that the columns be spaced apart as far as possible in order to provide large, unobstructed areas for the racks or bins of the storage structure. The fewer columns there are, the less interference there will be between the racks or bins and the columns. However, there is a definite limit as to the spacing between columns; and the farther apart the columns are spaced, the larger the column members must be and the larger the roof joists must be in order to support the roof. Expenses of construction are increased greatly and erection procedures may be complicated when the spacing between columns is lengthened to a considerable extent.

It is well known that a column must resist lateral deflection as well as support a vertical load. The critical length of a column is usually considered to be the distance between the points at which the column is rigidly secured against lateral deflection. In conventional warehouse construction, the length of a column is normally the distance between the point where the column is anchored to a footing, and a pointwhere the column is attached to a roof joist. Usually, there are no intermedi- United States Patent ate members supporting the column against lateral deflection and each column must resist horizontal forces by itself.

Since the strength of a column is dependent upon its ability to resist structural stresses, the moment of inertia of its cross section is an important factor in the determination of its carrying capacity. In the place of the moment of inertia, however, for the purpose of comparison, it is more convenient to use a term referred to as the radius of gyration. In designing a conventional type of warehouse structure, the size of the column is determined generally, not only by the load imposed upon the column, but almost always, by the unsupported length of the column in ratio to the radius of gyration of the particular column member. The unsupported length of a column in conventional warehouse construction is generally the distance from the floor to the roof. Consequently, it is usually necessary that a large structural member be used for a column. The expense of providing large structural members for columns is great; and in addition, the handling and erection expenses are costly.

Columns having their lower ends fixed are stronger than columns having their ends flat, hinged, or round. The stronger the column member is made in this manner, the smaller the structural member required. Consequently, it is a general practice to employ columns having fixed ends. Therefore, in conventional warehouse structures, all of the column members are fixed, and the structure for supporting the-roof is a rigid, nonmovable series of large column members.

In the building" of awarehouse, after the conventional structure has been erected, then racks, bins, or various types of shelving structures are installed between the column members. The racks, bins, or shelving structures are normally prefabricated in units but sometimes assembled separately. Whatever type of racks, bins, or shelving structures are employed, generally there are groups of vertical members which support several spacedapart horizontal members.

In conventional warehouses, the storage structure is entirely independent of the building structure. There is no cooperation between the column members and the storage structures for supporting the roof. The storage structures are erected in place as necessary for suitable operation of, the warehouse, and the only association between the storage structure and the columns is that the storage structures must be arranged so'that there will be no interference by the columns. Usually the storage structures are arranged in aisles for access, with the storage structures aligned with the columns.

Ordinarily, in conventional warehouse structures, there is no physical connection between the storage structures and the columns, unless it is desired that a temporary connection be made to prevent inadvertent movement of the storage structure. .It is desirable that no physical connection be made between the storage structure and the column members because, on occasions, it may be necessary to rearrange the storage structure. Because conventional column members are designed to carry the roof without lateral support, actually there is no need for connecting the column members and the storage structures.

Attempts have been made to support the horizontal members of a storage structure directly on the column members of a warehouse. One arrangement, for ex ample, is shown in Patent No. 2,003,670, issued June 4, 1935, to Robert C. Walker. This patent discloses the use of specially designed column members for supporting the floors and the roof of a library structure. The special column members allow the horizontal members of the 3 storage structure to be attached to or removed from the column members. This merely eliminates the vertical members employed in conventional storage structures. Generally, however, the building is constructed in the usual manner and employs the conventional type of column members.

Conventional Warehouse structures are relatively expensive. Obviously, there is a great need for inexpensive warehouse construction that has all the advantages of conventional warehouses. Although conventional warehouse structures have been entirely suitable in the past, the expense involved in erecting the structure is exceedingly burdensome and in some instances prohibitive. There is a great need and demand for largescale warehouse construction which is less expensive than the conventional type of construction.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a construction for a warehouse and a method of erection which is more economical than conventional construction, and yet which has all of the advantages of conventional warehouse structures.

In general, this object is accomplished by providing warehouse construction wherein the customary columns, or the column and girder type of erection is eliminated. Instead, the roof structure is carried and supported by the storage structure. Rather than have a few extremely heavy and expensive column members which are fixed at both ends for supporting a roof load, this invention provides for a large number of smaller vertical members extending from the floor to the roof and supported against lateral deflections at numerous points throughout their length.

This invention provides for a series of upright or vertical members which have two basic functions, one to support the horizontal members of the storage structure, and the other to support the roof load. The roof, in elfect, is divided into numerous small areas, the load of each of which is carried by a single vertical member. The roof load carried by the vertical member is relatively small in comparison with the load carried by a conventional column member. Furthermore, lthe roof load carried by a single vertical member is srnallcompared with the load usually placed on the vertical member by the horizontal members of the storage structure. Accordingly, in order for the numerous vertical members of the storage structure to support the entire roof load of the warehouse, it usually is not necessary that a significant increase in the size of the vertical members be made over the size of the vertical member in conventional storage structure. Generally, the vertical members of this invention will be the same size which would normally be required to support the horizontal members of conventional storage structures.

In the structure of this invention, the horizontal members of the storage structure support the vertical members against lateral distortion and lateral movement. It is well'known, and as explained above, the strength of a.

column or vertical member is related directly to its unsupported length. In this structure, numerous points of support against lateral movement are provided throughout the vertical member. For example, where a conventional column member may have no points of support between the floor and the roof, in this structure, there will be numerous points of support preventing the lateral distortion of the vertical members. Therefore, the size of the vertical member in this structure can be significantly smaller in cross section than conventional column members.

In addition to eliminating conventional column members, this structure eliminates many undesirable features of conventional construction. Large roof joists normally are supported directly on conventional columns. These are eliminated by this construction and the roof is sup ported at numerous points throughout its area rather than at a few concentrated points as with conventional column construction. Additionally, because conventional columns are eliminated, the customary column foundations, including footings and piers, are omitted in this structure. This is accomplished by supporting the roof structure directly on a floor slab at several points through the vertical members. 1

In general, a suitable large number of vertical members are provided and bear directly on a floor slab through a bearing plate on the bottom thereof. Bearing plates on the tops of the vertical members allow the roof purlins to be supported directly on'the vertical members. Horizontal members extend between the numerous vertical members in spaced-apart rows and are securely attached thereto by bolting, welding, or suitable connecting means. Normally, the vertical members and horizontal members would not be moved after being erected in position with the roof of the building supported thereon. Once erected, the horizontal members cooperate with the vertical members to securely and safely support the roof load. Unlike conventional construction, it is possible that the vertical members can be moved even after the building has been erected, and provision may be made for this.

This construction is particularly suitable for singlestory construction, although it is adaptable to multi-story buildings by applying the same principles of construction used in a single-story structure. The vertical members in multi-story structures directly support the floor decks and the roof, and the horizontal members of the storage structure cooperate with the vertical members in this respect. Throughout the building, the horizontal members of the storage structure cooperate with the vertical members to provide numerous points of support along the vertical members between the floors for preventing lateral deflection of the vertical members.

In the erection of a warehouse structure, the spacing of the vertical members must of course be co-ordinated with the spacing of the roof support members, the purlins for example. Great latitude of design is available, however, because each of the vertical members employed in the storage structure is not necessarily needed for supporting the roof load. This gives the warehouse great versatility in the arrangement of the storage structure. In this connection, bearing plates are located at the bottom of each vertical member, and a detachable connection may be made at the top of the particular vertical members which actually support the roof. The vertical members need not be fixed permanently in place.

A change of design of the storage arrangement can be efiected easily by changing the support of the roof to various ones of the vertical members in accordance with the storage structure arrangement desired. For example, in one storage arrangement, it may be desirous to have wide aisles. This might necessitate the removal of certain portions of the storage structure. If it happens that part of the storage structure which is to be removed contains vertical members which support the roof, then the roof load can be transferred to certain ones of the vertical members which are to remain.

These embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view showing a portion of typical warehouse construction;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view comparable to FIG. 1, and showing the construction of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view showing a portion of a warehouse using the construction of this invention for supporting the roof;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view corresponding with FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view showing a modification of the roof-supporting structure of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an end elevation view corresponding with FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view showing a modification of the construction of this invention employed with trusstype structure;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side or end elevation view showing in detail a connection between a vertical member and a roof purlin;

FIG. 9 is a side or end elevation view showing a modification of the structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side or end elevation view showing another modification of the structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side or end elevation view showing an extension structure for connecting a vertical member and a roof purlin;

FIG. 12 is a side or end elevation view showing a modification of the structure of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevation view showing in detail a connection between horizontal and vertical members of the storage structure;

FIG. 14 is an end elevation view corresponding with FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view showing in detail a modified connection between horizontal and vertical members of the storage structure;

FIG. 16 is an end elevation view corresponding with FIG. 15;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are side elevation views showing in detail other modifications of the connection between horizontal and vertical members of the storage structure;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view showing a modification of this construction suitable for multi-story construction;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged side elevation view of a detail of the structure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged side elevation view showing a modification of structure suitable for multi-story construction; and

FIG. 22 is an enlarged side elevation view of still another modification of structure suitable for multi-story construction.

In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a portion of conventional construction commonly used in erecting warehouses. This conventional construction employs a group of columns 10, only one of which is illustrated. The conventional column 10 may be an H-section member or other suitable structural steel member. Sometimes, in warehouse construction, the column members are made of reinforced concrete.

- In the conventional type of construction illustrated in FIG. 1, the column 10 is supported by a suitable reinforced concrete footing 12 and an upright pedestal 14. The footing 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely shown in diagrammatic form. Usually, such footings are more complex than illustrated.

A concrete floor 16 is cast in place after the footings and pedestals for the columns are erected. In FIG. 1 the pedestal 14- is shown as extending above the floor 16. In some cases, however, the column 10 will extend downwardly through the floor and have a suitable bearing beneath the floor level.

In conventional warehouse construction, a roof girder or beam 18 extends horizontally for a considerable distance and bears upon two or more of the columns 10. The size of the roof girder 18 is determined according to many factors such as the spacing between the roof girder, the roof load to be supported, etc. Roof purlins 20 rest upon and extend laterally of the roof girder 18. These purlins 20 support the roof structure 22, which for example, may include roof slab units which extend between adjacent purlins 20.

A warehouse constructed in this conventional manner provides covered floor area for the storage of a variety of commodities. It is customary that a suitable storage structure be installed in the warehouse for supporting the commodity. The type of storage structure employed may be in the form of racks, bins, shelves, drawers, etc. The Warehouse structure is entirely independent of the type of storage structure employed. Usually, in designing the warehouse structure itself, little or no consideration is given to the storage structure employed, other than to consider the spacing of the columns.

In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a representative type of storage structure 26, Which may include, for example, vertical members 28 for supporting horizontal members 30. Additional storage structure may be employed in connec tion with the structure 26, for example, partitions between the vertical members 28, drawers, shelves, etc., might be supplied. The conventional type of storage structure 26 is installed in the Warehouse after the warehouse structure has been completed, or nearly completed, but in most cases after the column and roof structures are in place.

The conventional storage structures 26 usually are-not tied or fastened to the columns 10 and do not provide lateral support for the columns 10. The storage structures 26 may be in form of completed units, or they may be prefabricated and installed in sections, or they may be preassembled or assembled in place. They may be of any form suitable for the particular warehouse and the commodity to be handled. Normally, such conventional storage structures 26 can be moved around and placed to form aisles for access to the storage structure as necessary and desired.

In FIG. 2, for purposes of illustration, there is shown generally the construction of this invention. The conventional columns 10 are eliminated, as well as the foundation and pier members, and the conventional roof beams or girder members. This construction includes a combined support and storage structure 36 having vertical members 38 and horizontal members 40. The vertical members 38 normally are continuous from a floor structure 42 to the roof. The horizontal members 40 are rigidly and securely attached to the vertical members 38 and supply lateral support throughout the length of the vertical members. The roof purlins 20 are located directly over and are supported by the vertical members 38,

and the roof structure 22 is supported on the purlins 20 in the usual manner.

The storage structure 36 rests upon a concrete slab 42, or other floor construction, which may be suitably strong as necessary to support the roof 22 though the storage structure 36. In this manner, the roof load is, in effect, divided up into numerous small units, each one of which is supported directly by a vertical member 38 of the storage structure 36. In turn, the roof load is directed to the concrete slab 42 or other floor construction at numerous points. Conventional roof and purlin structure may be employed, and in addition, a conventional floor slab construction may be used. The vertical members 38 rest on suitable plates 43 in order to distribute the load to a Wide area, rather than a concentrated area.

This structure may be employed effectively without the need for heavy vertical columns because the numerous horizontal members 40 of the storage structure 36 provide lateral support for the vertical members 38. The strength of the vertical members 38 is related directly to their unsupported length. This structure provides for numerous points of support along the vertical members 38 between the floor and the roof. Therefore, the size of the vertical members 38 can be kept at a minimum. Ordinarily, the vertical members 38 .of this construction need not be any heavier or larger than the vertical members 28 used in the convention storage structure 26.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 there is.illustrated a section of a warehouse employing the construction of this invention and showing how the storage structure 36 can be arranged into suitable aisles for access and how the vertical members 38 can be employed to support the roof 22. The storage structures 36 are arranged in rows A and B to provide aisles between adjacent units of vertical members 38 and 39, and horizontal members 40, as shown in FIG. 4. The rows of storage structure 36 formed in this manner extend laterally or crosswise of the roof purlins 20. In rows A vertical members 38'extend from the floor 42 upwardly far enough to support a roof purlin 20. Vertical members 39, opposite the vertical members 38, extend upwardly to support the horizontal members 40 but are somewhat shorter and do not extend upwardly to the roof. The horizontal members 40 span the distance between vertical members 38 and 39 and support the vertical member 38 against lateral deflection imposed by the roof load and the storage load.

The storage structure 36 in rows B does not employ vertical members 38 which extend all the way upwardly to the roof purlins 20. This resembles conventional storage structure in that the only function of the vertical members is to support the horizontal members which receive the commodities to be stored in the warehouse.

In FIGS. and 6 there is shown a modified arrangement of the storage structure 36. The rows C of storage structure 36 formed by vertical members 38 and 39, and horizontal members 40 are aligned longitudinally with the roof purlins 20. As shown in FIG. 6, each vertical member 38in a row laterally of the purlins extends from the floor 42 upwardly far enough to support the roof purlins 20. As shown in FIG. 5, however, vertical members 38 are arranged in alternate rows with shorter vertical members 39.

As in the arrangement of the storage structure 36 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the horizontal members 40 extending between the vertical members 38 and 39 to provide numerous points of support along the vertical members for preventing lateral deflection of the vertical members 38. In this manner, suitable strength and rigidity is provided for the vertical members 38 in order that these relatively small size vertical members may securely and safely support the roof structure 22 and the storage load.

Only two of the many possible arrangements of the storage structure 36 have been illustrated, in FIGS. 3 and 4, and in FIGS. 5 and 6. This structure 36 can be arranged depending upon the type of commodity to be accommodated in storage. For example, with reference to FIG. 4, the rows B might be eliminated if extremely wide aisles were desired and if deep shelves were needed, the horizontal members 40 could be made considerably longer with respect to those illustrated in FIG. 4.

Unlike the usual type of warehouse, when erecting a warehouse employing this construction, it is necessary in the initial stages of planning that consideration be given to the storage structure members as to their size and resultant strength. This is considerably different from the usual problems encountered in ordinary warehouses. In conventional warehouse construction, the structures employed to form the warehouse are not dependent upon the size of the storage structure members; however, in the structure of this invention, the size and strength of the vertical and horizontal members 38 and of the storage structure 36 are important aspects of the overall warehouse structure.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated a truss-type roof construction employing an arrangement of storage structure slightly dilferent from that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this type of truss construction, purlins 20 are not employed, but rather, truss sections are used to support a roof structure 52. Vertical members 56 of a storage structure, for example, a storage structure of the typeillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and in FIGS. 5 and 6, are employed at spaced intervals predetermined according to the length of the truss sections 50. The tops of the vertical members 56 are supplied with plates 58 upon which bear the ends of adjacent truss sections 50.

Because the truss sections 50 are not continuous throughout the length or width of the warehouse, it is necessary that the vertical members 56 be fixed or stationary. It is necessary that a vertical member 56 always be located at abutting ends of the truss sections 50 as shown in FIG. 7. However, vertical members 38 are employed between the vertical members 56, as necessary, to support the horizontal members 40. These horizontal members 40 in turn are securely attached to and provide the necessary horizontal support .for the vertical members 56.

The vertical members 38, 39 and 56, of this construction, may be of any type of suitable cross section configuration. For example, the vertical members in cross sec tion might be channels, angles, hat-sections, pipe or tube sections, C-sections, H-sections, Z-sections, or various built-up or combination sections. Because the vertical members of this construction can be relatively light or small as compared with the columns of conventional warehouse construction, a variety of cross sectional shapes may be employed.

In FIG. 8 there is illustrated a vertical member 64 of tubular cross section for supporting a roof purlin 66. Suitable bearing between the vertical member 64 and the purlin 66 is achieved by a bearing member 68 having an enlarged section 70 for receiving the vertical member 64 and a horizontally extending plate section 72 upon which the purlin 66 may bear. The vertical member 64 may be threaded into the enlarged portion 70, for example, or the connection may be a tight fit. While it is generally desirous that the vertical members of the storage structure not be fixed permanently or immovably, it may be predetermined that certain vertical members are not to be moved. In this case, the vertical members 64 can be permanently fixed to the purlins 66 by welding the purlin 66 to the horizontally extending plate portion 72 of the cap member 68, however, nut and bolt devices could be used, if desired.

In FIG. 9 there is illustrated a vertical member 76 to the top of which there is welded a plate '78 of suitable horizontal dimensions to receive a roof purlin 66. A connection between the vertical member 76 and the purlin 66 is made by nut and bolt devices 30 extending through holes provided in the plate 78 and the lower flange of the purlin 66. The nut and bolt devices 80 may be disconnected to allow the vertical member 76 to be moved if desired.

In FIG. 10 there is shown another modification of a connection between a vertical member 84, for example, a channel member, and the purlin 66. A pair of angle clips 86 are attached to oppositefianges of the vertical member 84 by nut and bolt devices 88. The attachment could be made by welding if desired. The outstanding legs of the angle clips 86 provide a horizontal bearing for the purlin 66. A detachable connection is made between the angle members 86 and the 'lower flange of the purlin 66 by nut and bolt devices 99. These nut and bolt devices can be disassembled in order that the vertical member 84 can be moved if desired.

In FIG. 11 there is illustrated a modified structure whereby vertical members 39 can be employed to support the roof purlins 66. The vertical members 39 might not be long enough to extend from the floor to the roof purlins. A short upright member 94 which may have the same cross sectional configuration as the member 39 is provided with a plate 96 at the top thereof, and the plate is fastened to the roof purlin 66 by nut and bolt devices 98. The short upright member 94 is positioned directly above the vertical member 39 and is of sufficient length to span the distance between the purlin 66 and the vertical member 39. After the members 39 and 94 are aligned vertically, a pair of splice bars 100 are securely fastened to each of the members 39 and 94 by nut and bolt devices 102. This construction allows the short vertical members 39 to be adapted for use in supporting the roof loads. Similarly, as when the long upright vertical members 38 are employed, the horizontal members 40 provide suitable horizontal bracing against lateral deflection of the vertical members 39. If necessary, suitable bracing can be extended between the uppermost horizontal member 40 and the short upright member 94. Normally, this will not be 9 necessary because the upright member 94 will be relatively short.

In FIG. 12 there is illustrated a modified form of structure whereby the short vertical members 39 can be adapted to support the roof loads. A vertical member 108, which in this instance is a tubular member supported by horizontal members 110, is located in position beneath the roof purlin 66. A relatively short block member 112 is attached to the lower flange of the roof purlin 66 directly above the vertical member 108. A sleeve member 114 having generally the same diameter as the vertical member 108 is extended between the top of the vertical member 108 and the bottom of the roof purlin 66. The block member 112 is of suitable diameter compared with the inside diameter of the sleeve member 114 so that the sleeve member 114 may easily slide over the block member.

In assembling the structure an insert member 116 of suitable diameter is fitted into the top of the vertical mem' her 108 and into the bottom of the sleeve 114. These members are held in position, as shown in FIG. 12, by nut and bolt devices 118. The block member 112 and the insert member 116 may be tubular or may be solid members. This form of construction allows the vertical member 108 to be easily disassembled from its association with the roof purlin 66 and moved to a different location. It needed, suitable bracing can be extended between the sleeve member 114 and the uppermost horizontal member 110 to provide additional support against lateral distortion.

In FIGS. 13 through 18 there are illustrated various forms of structure for connecting the vertical members and the horizontal members of the storage structure. It is necessary that the connections be rigid and secure because the horizontal members support the vertical members against lateral distortion. On theother hand, it is desirable that the connection between the vertical andhori zontal members be detachable so that the storage structure may be disassembled.

In FIGS. 13 and 14 there is illustrated one type of connection which is particularly suitable for use with channel-shaped vertical members 122. A channel-shaped horizontal member 124 has a plate 126 securely attached thereto as by welding. The plate 126 is placed against one of the flanges of the vertical channel member 122. Similarly, a second channel-shaped member 128 has a plate 130 attached thereto as by welding, and the plate is placed along the opposite flange of the vertical member 122 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The two plates 126 and 130 are held securely to the vertical member 122 by nut and bolt devices 132.

This connecting structure is duplicated at each location where the horizontally extending members 124 and 128 contact a vertical member 122. Members 124 and 128 may extend fora considerable distance in a horizontal direction depending on the arrangement of the storage structure. Normally, there will be several rows of the horizontal members 124 and 128 spaced apart vertically to form the storage structure. These horizontal members 124 and 128 are suitably strong in order to provide numerous points of support along the vertical member 122.

In completing the storage structure, a series of horizontally extending members 136 are mounted between the horizontal members 124, for example. The members 136 may be hat-shaped sections, as illustrated in FIG. 13, or they may be of any other suitable cross sectional configuration. After the members 136 are assembled between the horizontal members 124, considerable additional rigidity and strength is added to the vertical members 122. The members 136 may be attached to the horizontal members 124 by nut and bolt devices or by welding, if desired.

The vertical members 122 together with the horizontal members 124 and 128 and the members 136 form the supporting structure for the roof. In addition, these members form the basic framework for the storage structure.

In order to complete the storage structure, additional members may be added.as necessary depending on the type of storage structure desired. For example, suitable shelving can be laid upon the members 136. If desired, closed bins or racks or drawers can be built on the basic framework. The manner in which the storage structure is completed will depend upon the commodity to be ltored.

In FIGS. 15 and 16 there is illustrated a modified form of connecting arrangement between the vertical members and horizontal members. A vertical member 140 which, for example, may be a channel member, has a horizontal member 142 attached directly to one of its flanges by nut and bolt devices 144. The horizontal member 142 usually will extend a considerable distance between various vertical members similar to the member 140, and there will be a number of horizontal members 142 spaced apart vertically. Additional horizontal members 146 ex: tend between vertical members 140 in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal members 142. The members 146 are connected directly to the web of the vertical member 140 by nut and bolt devices 144.

The horizontal members 142 and 146 strengthen the vertical member 140 against lateral distortion at various points throughout the length of the vertical member 140. The rigidity of this structure may be enhanced by a brace 148 attached between the vertical member 140 and one of the horizontal members, such as the horizontal member 142, for example. The connection may be made by nut and bolt devices 150 located a suitable distance from the juncture ofthe vertical member 140 and the horizontal member 142.

In FIG. 17 there is shown a connector device 154 of cross-shape for connecting vertical members 156 and 158 and horizontal members 164 and 166. The vertical members 156 and 158 fit into opposed sockets 160 and 162. Horizontal members 164 and 166 fit into similar opposed sockets 168 and 170. Additional socket members 172 are provided for horizontal members which extend perpendicular to the horizontal members 164 and 166. The

connections between the various vertical and horizontal members and the cross member may be in the form of threads for easy assembling and disassembling. This type of connector device is particularly suitable for tubular members or rod members.

In FIG. 18 there is illustrated a type of connection which may be employed when it is not necessarily desirable that the vertical and horizontal members be disassembled. In addition, this type of connection can be used advantageously when the vertical members are different in cross sectional configuration from the horizontal members. A vertical member 176, a tube or a rod for example, has a plate 178 attached thereto as by welding or other suitable means. Horizontal members are in turn attached to the plate 178 as by Welding or other suitable means. Additional horizontal members may be attached to the vertical member 176 or the plate 178 and extended perpendicularly to the horizontal members 180. By using the plate 178, a variety of different shaped horizontal members, can be connected securely and easily to the vertical member 176 by attaching the horizontal members directly to the plate 178.

The construction of this invention is not limited to single-story warehouses, but can be adapted very satisfactorily for use in multi-story warehouses by employing generally the same combination support and storage structure. In constructing a multi-story warehouse, of course it is necessary to take into considerationthe load which will be placed upon the vertical members by the several floor decks. A suitable number of the vertical members of the storage structure are employed to support each floor deck, and the horizontal members of the storage structure are relied upon to support the vertical members against lateral distortion.

In FIG. 19, vertical members 186, which are representative of the vertical members of the combination support and storage construction, can be extended in a vertical direction far enough to support the floor joists 188 of consecutive floor decks and to support to roof. The actual length of the vertical members 186 depends upon the height of the warehouse. The spacing between the vertical members 186 depends upon and is related to the length of the floor joists 188.

In FIG. 20 there is shown a connection between the floor joists 188 and the vertical member 186 whereby the vertical member can extend upwardly to successive floors and to the roof. Angles 192 are fastened as by welding to each end of the floor joists 188. The free leg of the angles in turn are attached to the vertical members 186 as by welding, or by nut and bolt devices, or by other suitable means. In this manner, the vertical members 186 can be extended upwardly past the floor joists 188 without interference. The floor structure may be completed by laying a concrete floor 194 on the floor joists 188 in a conventional manner.

The' horizontal members of the storage construction support the vertical members 186 as described above in connection with the horizontal members 40, for example. Throughout the entire length of the vertical members 186 there will be numerous points of support against lateral distortion provided by the various horizontal members at each floor level. The vertical member 186 may be a continuous piece or may be made up of several pieces.

In FIG. 21, there is illustrated a modified form of construction for the vertical members used in multi-story warehouses. A vertical member 200, for example a channel member, has attached thereto as by welding a pair of brackets 202 which have legs extending outwardly from opposite sides. Floor joists 204 have angle members 206 attached to their ends, and the outwardly extending ends of the angle members in turn are attached securely to the vertical member 200. The floor joists 204 rest upon the angles 202, which cooperate with the angles 206 to attach the floor joists 204 securely to the vertical members 200. The vertical member 200 extends a short distance-above the floor joists 204. A smaller but similar vertical member 210 is aligned vertically with the vertical member 200 and attached thereto to extend upwardly above the vertical member 200. Vertical member 210 can be secured to vertical member 200 as by Welding, by bolting or other suitable means. The two vertical members 200 and 210 cooperated to provide a continuous vertical support member for supporting subsequent floor decks and the roof of the warehouse. The floor construction may be completed by adding a concrete floor 212 on the top of the floor joist 204 in the usual manner.

In FIG. 22 there is illustrated another modified form of construction for use in multi-story warehouses. A vertical member 216 of the storage structure has a plate 218 attached at its top on which rests a floor joist 220. The floor deck 222 is built upon a series of floor joists such as the joist 220. A vertical member 224 is aligned vertically with the vertical member 216 and has a plate 226 attached at the bot-tom thereof. The load of the vertical member 226 bears upon the plate 226 and in turn is applied through the flooring 222 and the floor joist 220. This load is then supported by the vertical member 216.

Although the vertical member 224 is illustrated as being aligned vertically with the vertical member 216, these vertical members do not have to be so related. Suitable support is supplied for the load applied to the floor joist 220 and the other floor joists by vertical members similar to the vertical member 216. .The vertical members 224 on the upper floor can be arranged as desired and do not have to be placed directly over the vertical members 212 on the lower floor. The vertical memtions of roof-supporting columns.

bers 224 on the upper floor will be supported against lateral distortion by the horizontal member 228 and other horizontal members which are a part of the storage structure.

The type of construction set forth in this invention is adaptable to various sequences of erection. The normal sequence which could be employed to take full advantage of this contruction is to prepare the sub-grade, pour the concrete floors, build the storage structure or a suitable amount of the structure including the necessary vertical and horizontal members, install the roof joists or purlins by supporting them directly on the vertical members of the storage structure, install the roof deck on the roof joist, and then install roofing material.

The type of construction disclosed in this invention affords many advantages over conventional type of warehouse construction. Considerable economy may be realized because the conventional column members are eliminated; and instead, the vertical columns used in the storage structure are employed to support the roof, as in a single story structure, for example, or the floor decks as well as the roof in multi-story structures. The relatively large and heavy column members normally employed in warehouse construction are relatively expensive compared with the smaller vertical members of this invention. Not only that, erection problems are simplified because the smaller vertical members are easier to handle and can be manipulated readily.

This invention has been explained he describing specific vertical members and horizontal members. It should be recognized however, that the type of storage structure commonly referred to as frameless could be employed. This type of storage structure has vertical and horizontal members, but instead of being slender and elongated as those illustrated, they are fiat or sheet-like.v

By eliminating the conventional fixed columns, more covered area is available for the storage structure and more freedom in the arrangement of the storage structure is allowed. For example, it is not necessary to construct a storage structure taking into account the posi- There is no interference between the storage structure and the columns as in ordinary warehouse construction. The aisles do not have to be laid out in accordance with the position of fixed columns. In this same respect, a vertical member of the storage structure can be moved as necessary. This can be accomplished by employing temporary supports for the roof structure while the vertical members of the storage structure are rearranged. This is not possible when fixed columns are employed.

In addition to the advantages of economy and flexibility in a storage structure arrangement, additional advantages are afiorded by this structure. For example, the storage structure can be used as scaffolding in the erection of the roof structure. Additionally, the vertical members of the storage structure actually can be removed so that the storage structure originally installed can be completely replaced with a different kind of storage structure or newer storage structure, as desired. The construction of this invention is adapted for use both with permanent type of structures as well as temporary warehouse structures. A portion of a warehouse could employ conventional fixed column type of construction, for example, and an adjacent portion could employ the construction of this invention.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in certain embodiments, it is recognized that other variations and changes may be made without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A method of erecting a warehouse comprising erecting a floor structure; assembling a storage structure, including a series of vertical members and horizontal members; resting the storage structure directly on the floor structure; supporting the vertical members of the storage structure against lateral distortion at various points alongv the length thereof by using the horizontal members; supporting a floor deck directly on certain of the vertical members after the storage structure is assembled; then assembling additional storage structure, including a series of vertical members and horizontal members, on the deck structure; supporting the additional vertical members of the additional storage structure against lateral distortion at various points along the length thereof by using the additional horizontal members; and supporting a roof structure directly on certain of the additional vertical members after the additional storage structure is assembled.

2. In a warehouse construction, a plurality of independent rack units serving as a vertical load bearing means and also serving as a storage structure, in combination with a floor deck and a roof deck, each independent rack unit comprising a plurality of vertical members spaced-apart in longitudinal rows and extending intermediately of the floor deck and the roof deck, a plurality of horizontal members spaced-apart vertically and extending longitudinally and transversely between the rows of vertical members, said horizontal members rigidly interconnecting the vertical members to support each vertical member against lateral distortion at points intermediate the length thereof and said horizontal members dividing each vertical member into unsupported lengths of less than the distance between the floor deck and the roof deck, said vertical members bearing directly on the surface of the floor deck, and said roof deck bearing directly on certain ones of the vertical members, said vertical members being of lightweight structural design such that without the horizontal members, the vertical members could not support the roof deck, and means for detachably connecting the certain ones of the vertical members to the roof deck, said independent rack units being spacedapart to provide aisles therebetween.

3. In a warehouse construction, a plurality of independent rack units serving as a vertical load bearing means and also serving as a storage structure, in combination with two floor decks spaced'apart vertically, each independent rack unit comprising a plurality of vertical members spaced-apart in longitudinal rows and extend ing intermediately of the floor decks, a plurality of horizontal members spaced-apart vertically and extending longitudinally and transversely between the rows of vertical members, said horizontal members rigidly interconnecting the vertical members to support each vertical member against lateral distortion at points intermediate the length thereof and said horizontal members dividing each vertical member into unsupported lengths of less than the distance between said floor decks, said vertical members bearing on the lower floor deck, and the upper floor deck bearing directly on certain ones of the vertical members. said vertical members being of lightweight structural design such that without the horizontal members, the vertical members could not support the upper floor deck, and means for detachably connecting the certain ones of the vertical members to the upper floor deck, said independent rack units between adjacent floor decks being spaced-apart horizontally to provide aisles therebetween.

4. In a warehouse construction according to claim 3 further comprising more than two floor decks, and independent rack units between adjacent floor decks.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 596,345 12/1897 Waite 52236 1,357,022 10/1920 Bahls 52-174 1,362,069 12/1920 Witzel 52745 2,003,670 6/1935 Walker 52236 2,003,671 6/1935 Walker 52236 3,000,061 9/1961 Cooper 5229 OTHER REFERENCES Architectural Record, January 1951, pages 134-139.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE, JACOB L. NACKENOFF,

Examiners.

C. G. MCBRIDE, K. E. PAYNE, L. R. RADANOVIC,

M. O. WARNECKE, Assistant Examiners. 

3. IN A WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION, A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENT RACK UNITS SERVING AS A VERTICAL LOAD BEARING MEANS AND ALSO SERVING AS A STORAGE STRUCTURE, IN COMBINATION WITH TWO FLOOR DECKS SPACED-APART VERTICALLY, EACH INDEPENDENT RACK UNIT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL MEMBERS SPACED-APART IN LONGITUDINAL ROWS AND EXTENDING INTERMEDIATELY OF THE FLOOR DECKS, A PLURALITY OF HORIZONTAL MEMBERS SPACED-APART VERTICALLY AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY BETWEEN THE ROWS OF VERTICAL MEMBERS, SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBERS RIGIDLY INTERCONNECTING THE VERTICAL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT EACH VERTICAL MEMBER AGAINST LATERAL DISTORTION AT POINTS INTERMEDIATE THE LENGTH THERE OF AND SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBERS DIVIDING EACH VERTICAL MEMBER INTO UNSUPPORTED LENGTHS OF LESS THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID FLOOR DECKS, SAID VERTICAL MEMBERS BEARING ON THE LOWER FLOOR DECK, AND THE UPPER FLOOR DECK BEARING DIRECTLY ON CERTAIN ONES OF THE VERTICAL MEMBERS, SAID VERTICAL MEMBERS BEING OF LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURAL DESIGN SUCH THAT WITHOUT THE HORIZONTAL MEMBERS, THE VERTICAL MEMBERS COULD NOT SUPPORT THE UPPER FLOOR DECK, AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING THE CERTAIN ONES OF THE VERTICAL MEMBERS TO THE UPPER FLOOR DECK, SAID INDEPENDENT RACK UNITS BETWEEN ADJACENT FLOOR DECKS BEING SPACED-APART HORIZONTALLY TO PROVIDE AISLES THEREBETWEEN. 